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My mom was also to shake his hand twice, too! Mark sat up in the bleachers and was able to see when he came in behind the curtains. My mom sat in the disabled section and had a front row seat to the left of the podium. Lee Ann and I stood front and dead center about 4-6 people back. He was an hour late. We stood in line for about 2 hours and then for an hour in the gym. The line wrapped all around the school before the doors opened. The school gym capacity was 800 and it was filled. When the mayor was introducing him, I couldn't tell you a word he said because I couldn't believe I was standing in front of a real live former president! He wasn't as tall nor as big as I thought he would be. He was a very good speaker. He never missed a beat and never used anything to help him remember. That's unbelievable. I just couldn't believe my eyes. When he was standing behind the mayor, he looked kind of more pale than I have seen on TV but as soon as he got up to speak, the color came to his face, he lit up and he came to life! This was his 4th speech so I figured he must've been so tired.
The area phone lines and cell phones didn't get jammed as I had been told was done with Bush when he made appearances. We did see one black helicopter fly over our house and me and one of my neighbors were outside waving at it! We didn't see that many secret service visibly until Clinton was in the house, however, we did lean on a secret service vehicle marked "Homeland Security" parked next to where the line was formed! Someone handed Bill a real saxophone, and several others handed him various books of which the secret service took them all for him. Until I read the Rochester account, I didn't realize that was how the autographing or book signing was done! He didn't sign any autographs as far as I could see out front, either. I didn't have a marker anyway. Anyway, the Secret Service guys standing by him during his speech were a pretty daunting presence.
I really lit up when he started talking about creating jobs by creating green energy and talking about energy independence and what Hillary's plans are for that. I was aware that all the local stations were filming behind me and since we were dead center in front of the podium, I stuck my arm up and gave a peace sign when he was talking about energy independence. Hopefully, my arm shows up on the area news somewhere! lol
It was an exciting day for my memory book and a high point for the history of Logansport. Even though I am voting for Obama in the primaries, I will vote for Hillary if she makes it to the GE. Most of their policies are the same except for some minor differences. But it was a wonderful experience and well worth it!
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